Alfa's numberplate not camera shy

The police have a surprise in store for heavy-footed Alfa 156 owners, writes TIM DORNIN.

Alfa's numberplate not camera shy

Alfa Romeo has delivered some bad news for owners of its new 156 who thought the car's unusual offset number plate might help them avoid speed and red light cameras.

It won't.

The company said comprehensive testing by Australian police had shown the plate was as easily picked up by the cameras as the conventional number plate.

"Alfa Romeo would never condone any attempt to break the law," said Newton Head, the Italian car maker's Australian general manager.

"So we were happy to provide an early Alfa 156 for testing to ensure that the distinctive and stylish front end is of no hinderance to keeping within the law."

The new 156, which went on sale in Australia recently, has the Alfa shield at the front of the vehicle cutting into the bumper where a conventional number plate would usually be placed.

As a result the plate has been offset to one side, suggesting it might be hard for speed cameras and the like to pick up.

However, the company said Queensland police tested every type of radar and camera on the new car to ensure it met the usual standards. It passed (or failed, depending on your point of view) every test.

The new 156 is an important part of Alfa Romeo's plans to sell 2,000 cars in Australia this year, just a year after returning to the local market.

Mr Head said the company had already taken 400 deposit-paid orders on the new 156.

The 156 is offered with a 2.0 litre, 114kW, four-cylinder engine or a 2.5 litre V6 which produces 140kW.